The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-17
ACTORS OF YE OLD DAYS.
WHEN LEADING MEN WERE PAID
$50 A WEEK.

W. II w Elm
a Retired Performer of Fifty Years
Ago Writes Pamphlet to Show
That Generation How to Get on the
Stage and How to Become an Actor
From. the Near York Mail aud Express.
picked up at an old bookstall the other
day curious little pamphlet, picturesque.
with penciled notes, now faded and almost
illegible, and the leaves yellow with age
written some fifty or sixty years ago, and
written to answer that broad and sweeping
question, evidently propounded as fire.
quently and industliously by the youths
and maidens of our grandfathers's time as
it is in our own day and generation:
''Inwhat way can get Oh the regular
stageF'
IL is to be noted that the aspirant for
Thespian honors always designates the
every day stage, or. more literally speaking.
the every-night and matinee stage, as the
regular" stage, in obvious contradistinc-
ton to the wooden affairs made familiar to
them by their limited experiences. which
are either platforms or segn1ents of the par
lor floor, and wholly guiltless of footlights.
traps, wings, flies, flats and other fasci-
mating professional appurtenances. These
inpromptu affairs are never named by the
amateur lheSplan IN conversation, but it is
TO be presumed that in the Utmost
recesses OF their thoughts the parlor floor,
the platform and other nakeshifts are de,
scribed as the irregular stage--the
wretched and unsightly chrysalis-which.
in the course of time, will be transformed.
it is fondly hoped, into the butterfly with
all its attendant color and brillancy.
The answer to the question, How shall
become an actOrW Tor an actress now. in
the year 1887, would be extremely interest
ing if set down in conformity with the parts
in the cast, but the answer to the Question
embodied in this half a century-old pamph-
let has elements of quaintness in which a
more modern effort would Of necessity, be
wholly lacking. Here is the title page
''THE AMATEUR, OR GUIDE TO THE STAGE,
containing lessons for theatrical novices in
structing them how to obtain first appear
ance; how to conduct themselves in a green
room: how to go through rehearsal and
first performance. The necessary dresses
and properties described. The prices; how
and where to obtain them; how to dress.
paint and make up for part; salaries and
rules; with all
THE DOCUMENTARY INFORMATION NECEs-
sARY TO LEAD A STRANGER TO THE STAGE,
by retired performer"
The running head over the pages entities
the pamphlet, more simply and briefly,
HOW 10 BE AN ACTOR"
The first advice of the retired performer
in case you have fully determined to en-
brace the theatrical profession as means of
livelihood" is to address a modest letter to
the manager of respectable theatre or
regular dramatic company previous to the
commencement of the season, or to call
upon him and acquaint him with your
desire to become an actor, and make
known your willingness to begin at
fho for Off In IN 1o1l
tired performer cautions the actor or would
be actor writing TO manager for an
engagement to pay the postage on his letter
to state distinctly what kind of business he
is capable of performing or if the writer
Is new and unknown in the profession, tells
him to accompany the letter with a recon-
mendation from some reputable actor man
ager or editor. In advising the applicant to
take the salary required the pamphlet
writer premises thai the salaries paid to
stock actors are, at the time he writes, one
third, nay, sometimes one-half lower than
paid in former times.
leading man" in a fl :st-cass theatre,
he says, will command at present from S25
TO $50 week, with about two benefits dur
ing the season on liberal shares Did Kyrle
Bellew or Osmond Tearle or bob" Mantell
say anything! A first low comedian from
$50 to s25 a week and two benefits What
remark was that Francis Wilson made2 A
heavy business man." the retired perform
er goes on to say, who performs such parts
as "Perardo" in the Wife, the ''Ghost" in
Hamlet" and "Banquo," Buckingham"
and the principal villains of the drama,
from SIS to $50 Walking gentlemen are
catalogued at $12 to SIS, and Charles"
VINO marries the pouting ward in the farces,
is rated At the same. The retired performer
still further encourages the novice by re-
marking that this is slight glance at the
salary ST of a fif.St-ploss tbaotpa tbof
are second and third.class establishments
where an actor is compelled to do double
Tor one-third and perhaps one-half of the
above rates.
Think of leading man at $40 week!
HOW TO GET IN AT THE TOP.
The pamphleteer having pointed out how
the profession may be entered by beginning
at the bottom, goes on to discourse with I'M
feigned reluctance of how it may be entered
at the top His wisdom is condensed in this
way:
Call upon the manager of some respect
able theatre and ascertain the terms on
which you can have the use of the house.
His price will be in accordance with the size
OF his establishment or the run of his bust
ness, say from 500 to $3.50. He will either
require the money in advance or q response
BILE person as security, and will give you the
right to the whole of the receipts above a
specified sum, thus allowing you an oppor-
tunity by your filling the theatre to make
debut
The payment of the 800 to $3.50 is evil
IDENTIFY contemplated by the writer as a pay
ment for the managers company as well as
his house, because ne goes on to say:
when the time appointed for your APP
pearance approaches you win be notified
from the theatre to attend a rehearsal,
which you will attend with punctuality.
Upon entering the theatre, either in the
green-room or behind the scenes. you pay
the ladies and gentlemen whom you may
meet the respectful courtesy of lifting your
hatand rendering them the usual conph-
ments of the morning"
The writer advises the novice not TO swag-
ger; hints that such assumptions make great
sport for the funny ones Of the theatre"
and tells him that if he is modest, dignitied
and respectful, that he will secure the hearty
respect and assistance of every lady and
gentleman in the company. He cautions
them against acting at rehcarsals and
vouchsBttss the information that reCulai.